What’s in baby oil and why does Julianne Hough swear by it?

Actress and Dancing With the Stars judge Julianne Hough was recently asked by media outlets about her glowing skin. The celebrity readily revealed her secret, and to everyone’s surprise it wasn’t some high-end product only the super-rich could afford. Hough’s secret was none other than baby oil.

“Actually funny enough, I lather myself up with baby oil in the shower,” the 26-year-old revealed to Us Weekly. “Then I pat myself down so I always feel really smooth.”

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Baby oil is the more consumer-friendly version of mineral oil, and most formulas on the market are just that: mineral oil mixed with a scent and a few artificial colors. They are marketed to soothe and relieve dry patches of skin and are typically described as gentle enough to use on children.

But what is mineral oil, exactly, and is it really healthy to put on your skin?

By definition, mineral oil is the byproduct of refining petroleum. It is called mineral oil, because petroleum is comprised of many different mineral molecules, and through the refinery process, these molecules get broken down and separated out into products like gasoline and kerosene. Mineral oil is the result of heavier mineral molecules that are separated out to be used as lubricants.

“Most lubricating oils come from petroleum or crude oil. In order to get a lubricating oil from a crude oil, the crude oil must be sent through a refinery. The refinery takes from the crude oil a lot of molecules of various sizes and structures that can be used for different things,” explains Jeremy Wright from Machinery Lubrication. “Fairly large and heavy molecules are needed to work as lubricating oils. The molecules that are used with gasoline and kerosene are smaller and have fewer carbons in the structure of the molecule. The refinery puts these molecules in little silos based on size and weight, and removes impurities, enabling each of the products from the crude oil to be utilized.”

Mineral oil is considered safe by most standards, but experts caution consumers need to be wary of what petroleum products they buy. Petroleum jelly, for example, is similar to mineral oil in its development, but there is always a risk carcinogenic impurities remain in low-quality commercial products.

“Vaseline ( a popular brand of petroleum jelly) supposedly has all of these [components] removed,” Dr. Alan Dattner told The Huffington Post. “But there are probably plenty of petroleum jelly imitators, and one doesn’t always know the extent that they’re removed.”

The same concerns exist for baby oil. What’s more, experts indicate baby oil can smother pores, leading to breakouts and other skin issues. While it may be fine for people with naturally healthy skin, individual with problem skin should avoid it.

As for Julianne Hough, slathering on baby oil is just one part of her process. “My morning beauty routine is to wake up and have a really big glass of water,” she explained. “I shower, I shave with my new Venus Swirl, wash my face with Proactiv, and then I brush my teeth.” And the quick remedy for chapped lips? “I love lip balm; La Mer lip balm is my favorite.”

SEE ALSO: Supplements for healthy skin: Do they really work?

She added that drinking plenty of water was a healthy skin staple.

“Have you ever seen the lady that had the comparison were she drank a gallon of water every day for a month? she asked US in an interview. “The before-and-after picture is insane. She didn’t change her diet, she didn’t do anything different but her whole skin, her radiance, her glow [changed], so for me water is huge.”

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